October 2009 Horror DVD and Blu-ray Guide

Yes, I know I’m two weeks late on this, but better two weeks than never.

October 6th:

Obviously the biggest release of the week is TRICK ‘R TREAT (review), a pretty damned good film whose biggest problem at this point is probably being overhyped. I wouldn’t worry too much about that though, even if you don’t fall in love with the movie, you’re at least going to like it.

While TRICK ‘R TREAT kind of stole the spotlight of the week, if not the entire month of October, perhaps the coolest film to come out this week was the ozploitation documentary NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD. It’s an incredibly insightful, wildly entertaining look at a film industry that the world has been either ignoring or taking for granted for decades. If I actually had to pick one must-see movie of the month, I’d honestly pick NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD over TRT, I like it that much. Be warned, though, it probably has more nudity in it than any documentary you’ve ever seen.

Ghost House Underground has a pretty good batting average as far as I’m concerned, and they’ve only gotten better this year with their four October releases, all of which are also available on Blu: THE CHILDREN, SEVENTH MOON, THE THAW, OFFSPRING. I’ve only seen THE CHILDREN and THE THAW, the former of which is a terrific film (review) and the latter of which is an above average, but also forgettable attempt at remaking THE THING without actually remaking THE THING. I’ve heard mixed things about SEVENTH MOON, but considering Eduardo Sanchez made ALTERED before it, I’m probably going to like it more than most.

Next up is the Syfy sponsored remake of CHILDREN OF THE CORN, and trust me when I say that it is unwatchable. In fact, CHILDREN OF THE CORN ’09 may take the crown from PROM NIGHT as not only the worst of the remakes, but the worst horror film I’ve seen in some time. It’s infuriating, and that’s coming from someone who isn’t even a fan of the original story or film.

I haven’t seen it yet, but I am really looking forward to Thomas Jane’s directorial debut, DARK COUNTRY. It’ll be interesting to see its presentation at home since Jane shot the film for 3D, but alas only a handful of people will only ever be able to see it that way.

The rest of the discs this week are either Blu-ray catalog releases or overdue special editions, like THE GATE.

October 13th:

I’m really looking forward to finally being able to give DRAG ME TO HELL a chance. I wasn’t won over at the theaters, if you’ll recall from my review, so I’m hoping with a few drinks in me and a nice Blu-ray to spin, my opinion of “Sam Raimi’s return to horror” will change slightly. Not counting on it, but I’m hoping.

After that, the week brings a trio of catalog titles that I, in all my awesomeness, have never actually seen: HARDWARE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME, THE STEPFATHER. The first is available on Blu-ray and DVD for the first time, the second is finally available with its original score (guess it’s a good thing I never got around to renting the last disc), and the third is a brand new disc in anticipation of the surely awful remake that comes out a few days later.

Other than that, this Tuesday is kind of light. I’m really interested in checking out the Lovecraft documentary FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN, but I haven’t heard any buzz regarding whether it’s any good (the Blu-ray is half the price of the DVD, so I’ll blind buy it). I’ve seen THE OBJECTIVE, which is okay but nothing great. Same goes for INFESTATION, which is an above average Syfy channel movie (though the network didn’t actually make it). While it’s not really a horror movie, THE KILLING ROOM is a well-made thriller with a pretty solid cast. Oh, and I’ve heard some good things about LEFT BANK, but I couldn’t tell you the first thing about it other than I’ve heard the name and the word good together in a sentence.

All that remains are catalog releases on Blu-ray and movies that Brian K. will probably someday be reviewing from Netflix Watch Instantly.

October 20th:

After two heavy weeks of DVD, your wallet will probably have a bit of a rest this week as the best thing coming out is the William Castle Film Collection, which contains more of the man’s films than I care to type out. Any William Castle fan likely owns half of these already, but for those unfamiliar this is a good launching point.

100 FEET (review) has been available for sometime now, but it’s finally breaking free of rental agreements and what not to come out on Blu-ray and DVD. I dig this movie, but it’s got a few problems. Famke Jensen is great in it, though, and it has enough memorable moments to make it worth a rental. WRONG TURN 3 has a great trailer, but it’s kind of a generic hill people vs city folk film that doesn’t leverage enough of its prisoner cast. I also didn’t jive with WRONG TURN 2, though, so maybe fans of it will like it more than I.

October 27th:

Alright, this is the most important day of the month. Nope, not Halloween, This day, October 27th. Why? Because NIGHT OF THE CREEPS comes out on DVD and Blu-ray. And not only does this awesome movie come out, but it’s conceivable that I might actually be in the special features since I was at the reunion screening they filmed for this very disc. Huzzah!

I heard good and bad things about ORPHAN, and unfortunately I already know the “twist”, but I’m really looking forward to getting around to see it. I liked HOUSE OF WAX way more than I thought I would, so I’m kind of hoping I fall on the side of the minority who really liked the movie.

I’ll admit I’m a sucker for really lame comedies, but even I am not all that excited at the prospect of STAN HELSING, but alas I shall inevitably see it. I can’t even pretend to have any quality high ground here, either, it’s just one of those movies that looks, well, blah.

FEAR(S) OF THE DARK, on the other hand, looks awesome so I’m glad it’s finally arriving on DVD. It also shows up alongside SAUNA, a film I’ve heard very good things about. This Region 1 disc also happens, I believe, to have a quote from HND’s very own Adam Charles, except it’s attributed to Ain’t-it-Cool-News, which I guess makes Adam our not-so-very-own. Still, go Adam!

And while I still haven’t seen season 1, I risk being yelled at again if I don’t mention TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE Season 2 . The rest of the final lot of October titles are all small time films I’m unfamiliar with, though Lamberto Bava’s GRAVEYARD DISTURBANCE does have a fun cover. Way to weight the first half of the month, Hollywood!

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